The GCF Annual Meeting 2025 will take place in Riyadh from October 1–2, convening global leaders, policymakers, and experts to shape the future of cyberspace. Under the theme “Scaling Cohesive Advancement in Cyberspace”, the event will build on the momentum of previous editions to advance digital resilience and collaboration worldwide. Moreover, the meeting aims to translate dialogue into action, ensuring strategies are not only discussed but implemented at scale.

Scaling global cooperation in cyberspace

Since its launch, the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) has consistently driven action around shared digital challenges. In fact, each year has built progressively on the last. In 2023, the theme focused on “Charting Shared Priorities in Cyberspace”, while 2024 emphasized “Advancing Collective Action.” Now, the 2025 edition seeks to expand the impact even further by aligning stakeholders across sectors and scaling practical solutions beyond regional borders. Consequently, the meeting will serve as both a knowledge hub and a catalyst for collaboration.

Key themes at the GCF Annual Meeting 2025

The program will be structured around five sub-themes designed to address pressing challenges and opportunities in cyberspace:

• Beyond the Inflection Point – Aligning strategies in a divided global landscape.
• –Cyber Economics Redefined – Advancing cohesion and shared prosperity in the digital economy.
• –Strengthening Cyber Inclusion – Ensuring equitable access and human-centered participation.
• –Behavioral Lens in Cyberspace – Using behavioral insights to counter manipulation and foster safety.
• –Opportunities at the Cyber Horizon – Harnessing emerging technologies to meet fast-evolving threats.

Heidi joins as a featured speaker

The GCF Annual Meeting 2025 will welcome Heidi as one of its featured speakers. Her participation adds depth to the conversations around global cybersecurity, digital resilience, and inclusive innovation. With her expertise and thought leadership, she will contribute to shaping strategies that address today’s most urgent challenges in cyberspace while pointing to new opportunities for collaboration.

A platform for collaboration and innovation

Through high-level panels, fireside chats, and strategy sessions, participants will explore how cybersecurity intersects with economics, innovation, gender inclusion, and critical infrastructure. From defending global energy supply chains to addressing the rise of quantum computing, the meeting will tackle both immediate risks and long-term opportunities.

Driving resilience and digital trust

Organizers emphasize that the GCF Annual Meeting 2025 is more than a conference—it is a catalyst for collective action. By convening governments, industry leaders, academics, and innovators, the forum aims to build consensus, share intelligence, and promote scalable solutions. Ultimately, the event seeks to ensure that cyberspace evolves as a secure, inclusive, and resilient environment for all.

Read our previous post, H-1B visa fee hike rattles tech and global markets

By Mohanad Yakout, Senior Markets Analyst, Scope Markets

The sharp rise in the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 has triggered widespread debate across global markets. For decades, the H-1B visa has been a vital lifeline for U.S. companies seeking to attract top international talent and remain competitive. Now, the higher fee raises questions about the country’s ability to attract skilled professionals in a fiercely competitive global landscape.

H-1B visa fee hike challenges U.S. tech companies

Leading U.S. tech firms such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have relied heavily on foreign engineers and developers to fill critical skill gaps. With fees rising to $100,000 per application, hiring costs are set to double. Therefore, companies will likely reassess their strategies, reducing the number of visa applicants or shifting focus to overseas development centers in Asia and Eastern Europe.

These adjustments could slow innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Moreover, delays in launching new products may erode competitiveness and pressure stock prices, adding new volatility to already fragile markets.

Global ripple effects of the H-1B visa fee hike

The decision has also shaken global markets. Shares of major Indian IT firms, which rely on sending thousands of employees to the U.S., plunged following the announcement. As a result, companies in emerging markets now face uncertainty about future contracts and workforce mobility.

In parallel, alternative destinations such as Canada and Europe may attract skilled workers deterred by the high U.S. visa cost. These regions already offer more affordable and flexible immigration systems, giving them a competitive edge in attracting talent and enhancing their innovation capacity.

Long-term risks to U.S. innovation leadership

If sustained, the H-1B visa fee hike could fundamentally reshape the global innovation map. The U.S. has long been viewed as the world’s hub for advanced technology. Yet rising barriers to entry risk driving talent elsewhere. Consequently, countries with more balanced immigration frameworks may benefit from an influx of high-level professionals.

Unless new policies are introduced to ease the burden while protecting national interests, the U.S. risks undermining its own competitive edge. Balancing economic needs with regulatory control will be critical to safeguarding its leadership role in technology.

Investor concerns and market outlook

Investors are closely monitoring the fallout from the policy change. In the short term, higher costs may weigh on corporate earnings for U.S. tech firms while adding pressure on global IT service providers. In the medium term, global markets may realign as companies expand their operations in regions with friendlier immigration policies.

Importantly, innovation does not exist in isolation. The global distribution of talent will determine where breakthroughs occur and which countries dominate the next wave of technological development. The fee hike may accelerate that redistribution.

A defining moment for global talent policy

The U.S. government’s decision signals a turning point in how nations compete for talent. For the UAE and other regions positioning themselves as innovation hubs, the policy presents opportunities to attract highly skilled professionals seeking alternatives.

Ultimately, the H-1B visa fee hike is more than an immigration issue; it is a test of how nations balance openness, competitiveness, and regulation in a world where talent flows drive economic power. The outcome will shape not only company strategies but also the future geography of global innovation.

Check out our previous Space42 Sovereign Mobility Cloud to transform the UAE mobility

Space42 Sovereign Mobility Cloud will become the UAE’s first sovereign-enabled platform dedicated to advancing smart mobility and autonomous systems. Announced during the Dubai World Congress (DWC), the initiative is enabled by Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud, leveraging Microsoft Azure.

By combining Space42’s expertise in AI-powered mobility with Microsoft’s secure cloud and logistics suite, the project will accelerate the deployment of autonomous mobility solutions while ensuring data sovereignty within the UAE.

Space42 Sovereign Mobility Cloud sets a global benchmark

Dr. Fan Zhu, Senior Vice President of Autonomous Mobility at Space42, emphasized the importance of this milestone: “The UAE has always led in technological innovation, and autonomous mobility is no exception. By building the nation’s first Sovereign Mobility Cloud with Core42 and Microsoft, we are setting a global standard for secure, trusted platforms in mobility and autonomous systems.”

Sherif Tawfik, Chief Partnership Officer – AI & Cloud for Sovereignty at Microsoft, added: “Microsoft Azure provides the secure foundation that powers the UAE’s Sovereign Mobility Cloud. This collaboration ensures compliance, confidentiality, and trust at the highest levels.”

Key features of the Space42 Sovereign Mobility Cloud

The initiative provides a trusted platform tailored to mobility and autonomous systems. Importantly, it delivers:

• -Secure hosting of mobility data under UAE regulations.
• -Platforms for HD mapping, telematics, fleet operations, traffic management, and digital twins.
• -Data-sharing frameworks across government, industry, and research stakeholders.

Furthermore, the program will introduce regulatory sandboxes, test hubs, and reference deployments in partnership with the UAE transport authorities.

Building complementary capabilities with Space42 Sovereign Mobility Cloud

Space42 will lead application deployment, liaise with regulators, and drive adoption through pilots and rollouts. Meanwhile, Core42 and Microsoft will deliver the sovereign-enabled foundation, ensuring compliance and data residency. In addition, Microsoft will provide training, technical expertise, and co-investment to grow the ecosystem.

This collaboration builds on earlier partnerships. For example, in July 2025, Space42, Microsoft, and Esri launched the Map Africa Initiative to create a continent-wide base map. Moreover, Space42’s geospatial AI platform, GIQ, is available on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace.

Advancing the UAE’s mobility ambitions

The UAE has positioned itself as a launchpad for next-generation mobility. Supported by infrastructure, governance, and regulation, it is creating a model for global transport innovation.

Space42 has already logged nearly 600,000 kilometers of autonomous driving and 20,000 passenger trips through its TXAI service. Beyond robotaxis, the company focuses on HD mapping, digital twins, and AI-driven fleet operations, ensuring innovation aligns with safety and best practices. Consequently, Abu Dhabi is becoming a hub for intelligent transport.

Why the Space42 Sovereign Mobility Cloud matters

The Sovereign Mobility Cloud ensures that critical transport data remains in the UAE, complying with regulations while fostering innovation. Therefore, it strengthens trust, protects sensitive information, and supports the nation’s long-term strategy for autonomous systems.

By combining national vision with technological expertise, the UAE and Space42 are building an ecosystem where AI-enabled transport benefits citizens and sets new global benchmarks.

Take a look at our previous post, ASUS Techsphere Forum: Making Every Company an AI Company